Last Updated on December 22, 2020 by Fiona Maclean
Advocaat Snowball Cocktail – A Retro ’70s Drink
Skip to the Snowball Cocktail Recipe
I remember my parents throwing cocktails parties in the ’70s when Snowballs were all the rage, especially at Christmas. Well, those ’70s cocktails are right back in fashion – so I was delighted to be given a fabulous gift box from Warninks with everything I needed to make my own perfect Snowball Cocktail plus with a truly retro canary yellow Warninks Advocaat Christmas jumper!
I have to admit I wasn’t quite brave enough to wear it myself, as I look horribly pale and ill in yellow at the best of times, but my gorgeous daughter was on hand, keen to assist me in making some Snowballs. I thought she might carry it off with a certain amount of style, and she did!
Snowballs are made with Advocaat, lemonade and a dash of lime. They peaked in popularity in the sixties and seventies, and they were one of the most popular drinks at the time.
Advocaat is a Dutch liqueur made with brandy, sugar, and eggs. It originates from a Dutch word and is short for advocatenborrel which translates as ‘drink that lubricates the throat of a lawyer’ or ‘lawyer’s drink’ – it’s deliciously creamy and really rather nice on its own. But, probably best not to get too addicted to neat Advocaat – a Snowball Cocktail is a much healthier option.
Advocaat tastes like a creamy brandy custard. Though it’s often called “Dutch eggnog,” advocaat uses only the egg yolks, so it has a deep and rich flavour. Delicious!
A simple recipe for a classic Advocaat Snowball cocktail made with Warninks Advocaat and Lemonade
- 50 ml Warninks Advocaat
- 50 ml Lemonade
- 25 ml Fresh squeezed lime juice
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Shake the Advocaat and lime juice over ice.
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Strain and pour into a medium-sized glass
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Top with lemonade
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Garnish with some grated nutmeg and a slice of lime
Recipe Video
An Iconic 1970s Cocktail - Advocaat Snowball
Since Advocaat is basically boozy custard, you can personalize your recipe in any number of creative ways. You could always try adding vodka, gin, brandy, whiskey or rum or perhaps substitute the lemonade with prosecco. And, for that classic 70s garnish, add a glace cherry to your Advocaat Snowball!
So if you fancy a truly festive nostalgic Christmas cocktail why not give my recipe for an Advocaat Snowball cocktail a go!
When the recipe calls for Lemonade. Is that the real Lemonade made from lemons, sugar and water? Or the stuff the Irish and probably British call White Lemonade (clear fizzy soda that tastes nothing like Lemonade) . Please clarify.
As in the photo – it’s the clear fizzy sweetened and citric lemonade that is nothing like homemade. But, over here in the UK, that’s what we call lemonade – the proper ‘homemade’ stuff is called ‘homemade’ or ‘traditional’
Enjoying one of these right now, lovely!
Love the drink. But more importantly, where can I get that jumper from??? It is fantastic!
LOL Lucy was sent it by De Kuyper who own Warninks…and I think that was about 3 years ago! We get asked every year!!!
I always started with a splash of bitters in the glass before making it. My family loves an Advocaat cake. One bottle is roughly enough for 3 cakes. I have fond memories of this as a child, though I do remember it was quite sickly. my granddad used to make me these I must have a go myself
This is my FAVOURITE Christmas tipple. I’m going to try it with brandy this year, but not sure how much to add???
I would start with a shot (25ml) and add more if you think it doesn’t have enough kick.
Fiona (Editor)
reminds me of christmas as a child, I aways wanted to try this wonderful looking drink that my grandmother, mother and aunts always drank when dinner was over and we sat playing with our toys
This sounds so nice, I love advocaat
We e buy a bottle of Advocaat ever year to make snowballs but only at Christmas.
Isn’t that strange – I think everyone is much the same!
I have not had a snowball since my Granny was alive, she used to love them on Christmas day, next time I am at the supermarket I am heading for a Warningks and will toast to Granny with a smile, Thanks
this sounds lovely! we have a snowball every year as it was my grandmas fave tipple at xmas
Fabulous! Always loved this classic !
Oh my, what trip down memory lane! I used to love a snowball in my student days, especially in one particular bar where they used to add a slug of brandy to it!
Takesme back to the 70s – Love it!
Would love to try one of these again, would really bring back memories of Christmas past
Not had one of this since my teens. It was a Christmas treat.
I have not had one for years
I love Advocaat and making snowballs
My Nana loves Snowballs it’s the only drink she’d ever drink at Christmas We wasn’t allowed ever lol
I liked these years ago. My parents ran a pub & I worked there & someone always used to test to see if you could make a snowball, I have never forgotten how to do it!
I had a snowball at christmas this year, can’t remember the last time I had one, went down to fast though.
I made hundreds of them working in a bar in the 80’s. I always started with a splash of bitters in the glass before making it, and whisked while slowly pouring the lemonade in.
I remember having these as a child at Christmas time; it wasn’t served in a martini though and no sign of an umbrella ;), it was the 70s, it was served in a half pint tumbler.
I have fond memories of this as a child, though I do remember it was quite sickly. I may give one a try very soon if they’re making a come back.
Love the jumper! I don’t do enough with Advocaat and really should try experimenting with it more.
What a fun retro jumper and lovely cocktails too! I buy Advocaat for baking. My family loves an Advocaat cake. One bottle is roughly enough for 3 cakes. Happy new year, Fiona!
I used to make these many moons ago when I worked behind a bar. I always used a little Angostura bitters in the glass before I started!
Good tip!
My granddad used to make me these I must have a go myself
Used to love these as a kid! Very weak, but I felt so adult!
Absolutely… it’s what the ‘grown ups’drank.
Sounds good not had one for years
I have to say I was surprised at just how delicious they were!